Holding a military parade for your birthday is a form of stolen valor
Greetings on this the Saturday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12; Matthew 5:33-37
Summary
To Be Honest is a common catch phrase people use when they want to say something candid. It’s an OK transitional phrase but more suitable if we would say ‘to be clear’. To be honest implies dishonesty as a norm. Oaths imply insincerity as the standard. When we speak oaths and promises and swearing we invoke that which we do not control. We command nothing and our words are nothing more than chaff in the wind.
But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black (MT 5:34-36).
So, to be clear, we implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 COR 5:20). Period.
Reflection
We control only one thing. Us. Who we are, what we say/promise and what we do. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one (MT 5:37).
Personal Reflection
A short reflection today as I wrote it last night and scheduled. I have a big day Saturday. I’ll keep you posted.
Schedule
- Gym
- See: https://www.nokings.org/
- Funeral
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061425.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry